FAVORITES: October 2016

I didn't do a Favorites post in for September because, honestly, I just didn't have any products that really stood out for me that month, but I have to admit that in October there were definitely some products that I found myself reaching for constantly. This is pretty makeup heavy, with only one skin care item... but obviously makeup favorites are more exciting anyway, am I right?

Obviously I was going to love the shade selection in this palette since I chose it myself, but what's really impressive to me about this palette is the quality of the shadows. Every shade applies and blends really beautifully and I find the wear time to be absolutely impressive with this palette. If you haven't given the Buxom singles a chance yet, I highly recommend them because I just think they're really beautiful shadows and you can't really go wrong with a palette you can curate to your personal needs and tastes.

I've been raving about this powder since the first time I tried it and I'm going to rave a little more. The thing I love about this powder is that it doesn't really look or feel like powder on the skin. There's a creaminess to it that doesn't feel heavy, but instead seems to meld with the skin to give coverage and a finish that is natural and healthy looking on the skin but also keeps oil at bay. While the entire Teint Idéal range was really impressive to me, I feel like this is the must have of the bunch.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Melrose

This is the PERFECT shade for fall, in my opinion, and I think it's really workable for absolutely anyone. My favorite way to apply this is with my Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush, because I feel like it picks up the product and packs it on really well. I tend to use this all over the lid for a really burnt fall smokey eye and I think it really makes my blue/green eyes pop. These really rich matte shades are actually my favorites in the Colourpop Super Shock line and I think they get a little bit overlooked in favour of the shimmer or metallic shade, but they're definitely worth a look.

Before bed every night I like to apply a really good lip balm and this has been the one that I've been reaching for most often for the past month. Because it's in a bullet, it's obviously really easy to apply, but unlike a lot of bullet style lip balms, I feel like this one really clings to the lips and gives lasting moisture so that I wake up with really soft, hydrated lips. This is one of those staples that I think can get overlooked, but one that just keeps on impressing me.

This is a rediscovery in my collection that I'd been overlooking for quite some time, but I fell back in love with it over the past month. Because my skin has been more hydrated, I feel like I need a good primer to keep my foundation looking flawless throughout the day and this one does the job really, really well. It's been compared a lot to the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer in the past, which is actually my all time favorite primer, and while I don't think that it performs quite as well I think that it's similar enough and performs well enough that it's worth saving your money and grabbing this instead.

itCosmetics Superhero Mascara

I got this in my September Ipsy bag and I'll admit that I wasn't entirely thrilled about getting another mascara sample... but wow, I fell completely in love with this mascara this month. It's lengthening and volumizing, super black, and doesn't flake or smudge on me at all. It really is a Superhero product, as far as I'm concern, and makes me wish even harder that itCosmetics was easier to find here in Canada, because it's one that I would absolutely repurchase. If you get the chance to try this out, I highly recommend giving it a try!

I'm really not sure I've ever seen such incredible results with a moisturizer as I've seen since I started using this one. It's spendy, for sure, but I really feel like it's consistently making a difference in my skin, not only in the level of hydration but also in the overall appearance. This gives my skin a really plump, healthy look and I feel like it's the perfect prep for makeup and not too heavy for daytime. I've been using this day and night and the results are just top knotch.

HONORABLE MENTION:MyChelle Refining Sugar Cleanser - I actually meant to include it, but forgot to grab it when I was taking the pictures, so it gets an honorable mention instead. IT'S RAD AND I LOVE IT.

I really do love everything that I've mentioned here - and I also think everything I've mentioned is pretty perfect for this time of year. I've been gravitating to looks with really prepped skin and warm eyeshadows and I think these products really get the job done on that front, and the skin care products mentioned have been helping me to combat the change in temperatures and weather that can really do a number on how I feel about my skin. Everything here is a recommendation!